Key takeaways:
- Brad Sigmon, convicted of a double murder in 2002, is set to be executed by firing squad in South Carolina, marking the state’s first use of this method and the first in the U.S. since 2010.
- Sigmon, who killed his ex-girlfriend’s parents and kidnapped her, has chosen the firing squad as his method of execution, while awaiting potential intervention from the governor or U.S. Supreme Court.
- Sigmon’s lawyer has appealed for clemency, citing his transformation and renewed Christian faith, as the decision on his execution now rests with the authorities.
Brad Sigmon, a 67-year-old man convicted of a double murder in 2002, is scheduled to be executed by firing squad in South Carolina on Friday evening. The execution, set to take place at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, marks a significant event as it will be the first time the state has used this method. Sigmon’s execution would be the first firing squad execution in the United States since 2010 and only the fourth since the death penalty was reinstated in the country 49 years ago.
Sigmon was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat and subsequently kidnapping her after she refused to reconcile with him. He has chosen to die by firing squad, considering it a preferable option among the choices provided by the state. As the scheduled time approaches, Sigmon awaits potential intervention from either the governor or the U.S. Supreme Court, which could grant him a last-minute reprieve.
The execution process involves Sigmon being strapped into a chair, with a target placed over his heart. Before the execution, he will have the opportunity to say his last words. A hood will then be placed over his head, and three volunteers armed with rifles will fire bullets designed to shatter on impact. This method of execution is rarely used, adding to the gravity and attention surrounding the event.
Sigmon’s lawyer, Gerald “Bo” King, has appealed to Governor Henry McMaster for clemency, highlighting Sigmon’s transformation during his time in prison. King argues that Sigmon has rededicated himself to his Christian faith and poses no further danger while incarcerated. As the scheduled execution time approaches, the decision now rests with the authorities to determine whether Sigmon’s life will be spared.
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